Grayson Family,Franklin Parish, La. 
Submitted by: DeWanna Robinson Lindo
June  2001

Source: Franklin Parish Library Clipping 
Authors name missing and date unknown.



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GRAYSON FAMILY

Thomas Grayson, a close hunting and Indian-fighting companion
of Daniel Boone, came to Boeuf Prairie from Kentucky in 1813
with his wife, Sarah, and small son, Wiley Blount.

Braving Indians, the familytraversed the famed Natchez Trace
to Natchez on Wagons and horse-back. Thence, they traveled
via boat down the Mississippi, up the Red to Black River, up
the Quachita to the Boeuf and on to Boeuf Prairie where they
settled the family homestead, located about four miles south 
of Ft. Necessity.

Wiley Blount Grayson extended the family holdings, took an
active part in setting up the first Franklin parish government,
and served on the first Police Jury of Franklin Parish. This
example of civic-service leadership has been followed ever
since by the family.

Mr. and Mrs. W.B. Grayson, Jr., had eight children, five still
survive. Now 87, Mrs. Grayson is in a critical condition in a
Monroe hospital. Her husband died on July 7, 1938. Surviving
children, in addition to C.J. Grayson are: Mrs. Leon Brooks,
Urania; Mrs. R.A. Fraser, Kilgore, Texas; Mrs. H.J. Thibodaux,
Houma; and Mrs. Ernest Foster of Ft. Necessity.

Children who have passed away: Mrs May Grayson Harkey; Wiley
B. Grayson, II (better known as Bub) and Mrs. Lucille Pugh.

C.J. Grayson is carrying on the family tradition of farm 
progress and civic service. Currently Mr. Grayson is:
President, Northeast Louisiana Power Cooperative, Inc.;
Louisiana's representative on the National Association
of Rural Electric Cooperatives, Washington D.C., member
Board Directors Union Compress; member Tensas Basin Levee
Board; member Board Directors Winnsboro State Bank; Delta
Council Leader.

The family is closely related to these families: Buie, Dailey,
Matthews, and Roach.

Only surviving male member from Boeuf Prairie bearing the name
in addition to C.J. Grayson, is his son, Charlie Jackson, Jr., 
a professor at Tulane University and currently at Harvard
seeking his Doctor's Degree in Business Administration.



After marrying Martha Buie, W.B. Grayson, Sr. built one of the
finest plantation homes in northeastern Louisiana. Constructed
in 1844, the Grayson home is of hand-hewn cypress and conventional
antebellum design in northern Louisiana. The beautiful home is
extremely well preserved and is today the home of Mrs. W.B. 
Grayson Jr., who resides with her daughter and son-in-law, 
Martha and Ernest Foster.

During the Civil War, in which W.B. grayson, Sr. served with
distinction as a Confederate officer, the big house was taken
over by the Union Army for use as a local field headquarters.

Mrs. Foster says the family was treated with kindness by the
federal troops. The family was granted permission to live in a
portion of the house. However, all cotton was burned and the
slaves freed by the Yankee invaders.

Wiley Blount Grayson, Jr., increased the family estate still
further. Very active, he too, served on the parish Police Jury,
took an ectensive part in parish schools and helped to organize
The Franklin State Bank and Trust Co., serving on the Board of 
Directors of that institution until his death.

W.B., Jr., was one of the substantial supporters of of the
Boeuf Prairie Methodist church, the famed institution which
his father helped to found and build. He also served as a member 
of the Tensas Basin Levee Board for 24 years; the position is
now held by his son, C.J. Grayson, widely known for his 
civic-service work.